Bel. Oh, dress your Face and Eyes in gentler Looks, If you wou’d have us hope for any Mercy.
Lord. Rise, and whate’er you ask, I’ll freely grant.
Dia. That you’ll undo that Knot, that ties us two.
Lord. How! this Request from thee! who lov’d him once, And wish’d no good beyond possessing him.
Dia. Heav’n has not, Sir, decreed us for each other: Something of Fate or Chance Has otherwise dispos’d those first Resolves.
Lord. Too virtuous Maid, I know thou dost but feign, His Wickedness has forc’d thee to this change.
Dia. No, Sir, were he the only Man
Of kind and good, I never wou’d be his.
—And if you shou’d compel me, I shou’d live
The infamous Reproach of my whole Sex.
Lord. Well, and you, Sir, that are the cause of this, What canst thou say to move me for thy Pardon?
Bel. I am so guilty in your Opinion,
My Prayers wou’d but make you merciless;
I only say Celinda is my Wife,
And I shou’d injure this too generous Maid,
Not to adore her equal to her Merit.
Lord. I see, Sir, you have found your Wits again.
—Well, I see there’s no opposing Destiny;
And I have still such tenderness for thee, [To Dia.
That hadst thou pleaded his Cause to me before,
I shou’d have been less cruel to him.
—Where is that Lady which you so admire,
Whose Beauty does eclipse that of Diana?